The Wes Anderson Effect: art direction’s importance in big films
(the hidden gem): Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
Art Director: Gerald Sullivan
Set Decorator: Kris Moran
This adventurous childhood love-story is a common yet unspoken favourite among movie buffs, especially Wes Anderson fans. Although Moonrise Kingdom came out less than a decade ago, the dreamy settings age this flick like wine. The doll-like sets and art direction used throughout the film give it a nostalgic feel of a monochrome photograph. The design of the Bishop family house is Anderson in his natural habitat – the tacky carpet, board games, and antiquity of the furniture all seem meticulously placed. This film is a staple in his catalog and exhibits why people have such a deep admiration for his stories. The rugged setting creates the unrefined allure of a bygone era. You don’t realise how much you pick up on, from architecture to something as seemingly insignificant as font choices. The world-making in Moonrise Kingdom is unforgettable, bursting with classic imagery that lives rent-free in his audience’s minds to this day.